In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Eligible participant” means a resident of the State who is at least 60 years old. “Person of record” includes a local law enforcement unit or other local government agency or a designee of the participant that chooses to participate in the Program. “Program” means the Senior Call–Check and Social Connections Program. “Senior call–check and social connections” means regular, direct communication from the Department of Aging or the Department of Aging’s designee to an eligible participant. “Senior call–check and social connections” includes: an automated or live telephone call or other direct communication initiated by an eligible participant or received by an eligible participant at a regularly scheduled time each day; if the eligible participant does not answer or initiate the regularly scheduled call or other direct communication and the Secretary of Aging designs the Program to require this action, one or more automated or live telephone calls or other direct communications to the eligible participant; if the eligible participant does not answer a telephone call or other direct communication made under item (ii) of this paragraph, an additional automated or live telephone call or other direct communication to notify a person of record whose name has been provided to the Department of Aging; and a notification to the eligible participant regarding information that the Secretary of Aging has determined to be relevant. “Regular, direct communication” means regular interactions initiated or received by the Department of Aging or the Department’s designee that: may include telephone calls, text messages, web–based, virtual, video, or in–person communications, and other forms of communication approved by the Department; and are accessible to eligible participants with disabilities. “Village” means local, volunteer–led organizations that aim to support community members who choose to age in place, including by: organizing events; and fostering social connections through activities and coordinating volunteer help at home using the neighbor–helping–neighbor model.

The Department of Aging shall: establish and administer the Program to provide senior call–check and social connections to eligible participants; and adopt regulations necessary to implement the Program. The purpose of the Program is to provide regular, direct communication from the Department of Aging or the Department’s designee to an eligible participant to promote wellness and purposeful social engagement. The Department of Aging shall integrate services with the Telecommunications Access of Maryland Program established under § 7–902 of the Human Services Article by promoting awareness of the availability of accessible telecommunications equipment and using educational outreach materials produced by the Telecommunications Access of Maryland Program. The Department of Aging may enter into agreements or contracts as appropriate with a private vendor, a nonprofit organization, a village incorporated in and serving older adults in the State, an area agency on aging, or any other person to provide Program services. The Department of Aging may enter into interagency agreements with other State or local governmental entities to provide Program services. The Department of Aging may accept funds provided by other public and private sources, including gifts and grants to be used to provide Program services. The State Tort Claims Act and the Local Government Tort Claims Act, as appropriate, apply to a State or local unit and to an employee or agent of a State or local unit that participates in the Program for services the unit or person provides under the Program in accordance with regulations of the Department of Aging. A person of record, a private vendor, a nonprofit organization, a village incorporated in and serving older adults in the State, an area agency on aging, any other entity under an agreement or contract with the Department, or a volunteer may not be liable for reasonable acts or omissions directly arising from services provided under the Program in accordance with regulations of the Department of Aging.